Byron Station to Celebrate 25 Years of Commercial Operation with Community Open House

On Sunday, Sept. 26, from 1 to 4 p.m. the public is welcome to the Byron Station’s Community Open House to see how nuclear generation works.

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9/9/2010 8:00 PM

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BYRON, Ill. - For 25 years Byron Generating Station has produced safe, reliable and environmentally-friendly electricity for many communities in Northern Illinois and beyond. On Sunday, Sept. 26, from 1 to 4 p.m. the public is welcome to the station's Community Open House to see how nuclear generation works.

The event will be held at the station's training center located at 4450 N. German Church Road, about four miles south of Byron, Ill. It is a great opportunity for residents to get a hands-on experience in nuclear power.

"We invite all of the area's residents to join us for an educational and exciting visit to our site," said Byron Station Vice President Dan Enright. "Members of the public have the opportunity to visit with station employees and learn what they do at the facility. We are eager to show everyone how this facility generates safe and clean electricity to more than 2 million customers every day."

Employees will provide general information about station operations, environmental awareness, security, safety and nuclear power. Exelon technical experts will share detailed information about the station's ongoing used fuel management and storage program. Area residents will also be able to tour the station's control room simulator located in the training facility, which is where operator training is conducted.

Representatives from Hoo Haven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Durand, Ill. will be giving presentations on wildlife preservation and conversation. Exelon has sponsored the group at various area schools, where the center's volunteers educate and delight students with a collection of rescued wildlife animals - many of which will be at the open house.

Children in attendance will have a number of learning opportunities and small prizes will be awarded throughout the day. Light refreshments will be served. Residents who have questions about the event or general questions about Byron Station and its outreach program can call (815) 406-3554.

Byron Station construction began in 1975 and Unit 1 officially started generating commercial electricity on Sept. 16, 1985.

Due to security restrictions, the open house is limited to the plant's training center. It will not include a tour inside the plant.